The Red Devils are just one point behind their fierce local rivals in the table, with City currently sitting in fourth.

Ander Herrera is confident Manchester United can beat Manchester City in the race for fourth place in the league

United secured a crucial 1-0 win in last month’s derby at the Etihad, and will be hoping to keep their fine form going against Tottenham on Sunday after beating Everton at the weekend.

Fit-again stars including Wayne Rooney, Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young and Phil Jones are set to re-join Louis van Gaal's side for their season run-in, and Herrera is feeling confident about United’s top four hopes.

He said: “Man United should be every year in the Champions League. I think the last 25 or 26 years, just one time we didn’t play Champions League, so we want to be there.

Marcus Rashford scored the winner in last month's derby at the Etihad as he continues to flourish at United

“We are Man United, we as players are obligated to fight until the end and I think we have the quality to be there. Man City has a bigger squad, very good players, but I think right now we can fight against them.

“We have recovered some important players for us. They are going to help us and there is a lot of experience, like Antonio [Valencia] and Ash [Young]. I am optimistic.

“I think the last game we showed that we are a little bit better than them right now, in this moment. We beat them away in the Manchester derby so we can be optimistic.

“When we play against top teams, I am not so worried about our performance because I think we usually do quite well against top teams.

Wayne Rooney is close to returning from injury after being sidelined since February

“The most difficult games for us or when I am a little bit more worried is when we’re not playing against top teams.

“[Rooney] is the top scorer for us this season, he usually is the top scorer of this club. We are going to count with him hopefully next game, so it is better for everyone.

“I always say that when you have competition in the team it is better for everyone in the team.”